Brace



Jan. 18, 1966 R, M, MacRoBBlE 3,229,950

BRACE Filed April 17, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 1s, 1966 M. MaCRoBBIEBRACE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 17, 1964 United States Patent O3,229,950 BRACE Robert Murray MacRobbie, Brooklyn, N.Y., assigner toRichmond Screw Anchor Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Apr. 17, 1964,Ser. No. 360,587` 8 Claims. (Cl. 24S- 354) This invention relates todevices for adjusting and maintaining the position of one constructionelement relative to another and more particularly to that category ofdevices generally known as tilt-up wall braces.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved tilt-upwall brace which is easily manufactured at low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tilt-up wallbrace, wherein provision is made for coarse and fine length adjustments.

Still; another object of the invention is to provide an improved` wallbrace having a double-acting or amplified fine length adjustment.

Yet another object of the invention is to realize improved compression.characteristics at a minimum expenditure of material and labor.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a basecomprising first and second brackets with first and second elementspivotally coupled thereto and adapted for being supported in coaxialalignment, there being further providedrotatable means extending betweenand connecting these elements and threadably engagingthe latter withoppositely directed threads whereby to adjust the distance between theabove-noted brackets.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided' abrace comprising first and second brackets and a series of adjustablyconnected elements extending between and connecting these brackets, atleast one of these elements including a conical portion of work-hardenedsteel whereby an improved compression characteristic is realized withoutany significant expenditure of material and/or labor.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there iscontemplated a brace comprising first and second' brackets with firstand second elements pivoted thereto and coarse and' line lengthadjusting means serially connected between these elements, the finelength adjusting means having oppositely direct threaded connectionswith one of the above-noted elements and said coarse adjusting means foreffecting adjustment therebetween.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention there is contemplatedthe provision of coarse adjustment means which includes at least onewooden beam adapted to be cut to length at the site of construction.

According to a second embodiment of the invention there is contemplatedthe provision of a coarse adjustment means comprising a rigid tubehaving axially spaced holes therein with means selectively positionablein these holes to effect a connection between the rigid tube and one ofthe above-noted pivotable elements.

` The above objects and features of the invention, as well as advantagesthereof, will become apparent from the followingV detailed` descriptionof some preferred ernbodiments of the invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view ofa tilt-up wall brace provided in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention and shown inA relation to twoconstructional elements, the relative positions of which are to beadjusted;

` FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a bracket employed in the arrangementof FIG. l;

FIGURE 3 is a side View of the bracket of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of a component employed in the wall brace ofFIG. l;

ICC

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the component of FIG. 4; FIGURE 6 is a sideview of a further component employed in the wall brace of FIG. l;

FIGURE 7 is an end view of the component of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of stillanother component employed in the wallbrace of FIG. l;

FIGURE 9 is an end view of the component shown in FIG. 8;

FIGURE 10 is a sideV view of a support employed in the wall brace ofFIG. l;

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of the support of FIG. l0;v and FIGURE l2is a side View of a tilt-up wall brace provided in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. l is generally indicated a ltilt-up wall brace 10 employed inaccordance with the invention to adjust the relative position of avertical construction element 12 with respect to a horizontalconstruction element 14.

The Wall. brace 10 comprises generally a bracket 16 connected, as willbe shown, to the construction element 12 and a bracket 18 connected, aswill be shown, to the construction element 14.

Pivotally connected to the brackets 16 and 18 are pipe elements 20 and22.

To the pipe element 22 is connected an adjusting means or stud 24 to thevfree end of which is connected a third pipe element 26.

Respectively connected to pipe elements 20 and 26 are supports 28 and30, between whichl extend wooden beams 32 and` 34, which will bediscussed in greater detail hereinafter.

As willV be shown, the adjustment stud 24 has operatively associatedtherewith a rod 36, by means of which a threadable adjustment is madebetween pipe elements 22 and 26, constituting a fine adjustment, thewooden beams 32 and 34 being adapted for being cut to length at the siteof the construction and constituting a coarse adjustment for the wallbrace, as will become evidentV hereinafter.

Brackets 16 and 18 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 whereinit is seen that each bracket comprises a base 3S and two upstandinganges 40- and 42, which are parallel to each other and spaced at adistance adapted to accommodate the extremity of pipe element 22, aswill be shown hereinafter.

The base 38` of each bracket is provided with an elongated slot 44',which is disposed generally perpendicularly relative to the flanges 40and 42 and which opens laterally in the said base. The slot 44 ismoreover provided with a rounded terminal portion 46, to accommodate theshankV of a bolt or the like.

Flanges 40 and 42 are respectively lprovided with openings or holes 48and 50', which are coaxially aligned for a purpose which will becomeapparent hereinafter.

The brackets described above may be fabricated from a material havingsuitable constructional strength, such as malleable iron.

The first and second pipe elements 20- andV 22` of FIG. 1 are shown ingreater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5', wherein it isV seen that each of saidpipe elements comprises al atted end portion 52, a generallycylindricalV or second endV portion 54 and aniintermediate orconnect-ing portion 56 of generally truncated conical shape.

The intermediate portion 56 includes a narrow extremity 58 which isconnected with and merges with the end portion 54 and further includes abroad extremity 60- which merges with and is connected tothe attered endportion S2.

The atted end portion 52` comprises diametrally opposed holes oropenings 62 and 64'which are adapted for being aligned with the holes 48and 50 of the iianges 40 and 42 of FIGS. 2 and 3, so as to be able toaccommodate the passage therethrough of a bolt 66 (FIG. 1) whichreceives thereon a nut 68 which cooperatively lock the pipe element 22,for example, to the bracket 18, an equivalent pivotal connection beingprovided between the pipe element 20 and the bracket 16.

Each pipe element (FIGS. 4 and 5) is generally circular in cross-sectionwith the exception of the iiatted end portion and is moreover hollow andis further provided with an internal thread 70 in the second end portion52, the purpose of said thread made hereinafter apparent.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the details of the adjustment stud 24 of FIG.1.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 it is seen that the adjustment stud generally comprisesrst and second end portions 72 and 74 of generally hollow cylindricalform, there being provided an intermediate portion 76 provided with adiametral passage 78 extending therethough.

The intermediate portion 76 connects end portions 72 and 74 to eachother in coaxially aligned relationship.

Intermediate portion 78 may be of hollow form or alternatively may be ofsolid form, in which event the diametral passage 78 extends completelytherethrough.

End portions 72 and 74 are respectively provided with exterior threads80 and 82, the exterior thread 80 being engaged with the interior thread70 of the pipe element 22 (see FIG. 1).

The adjustment stud 24 may be made of any material having suitableconstructional strength, such as steel or iron.

As has been heretofore noted, the adjustment stud 24 constitutes a finelength adjustment for the tilt-up wall brace of the invention and tothis end the threads 80 and 82 are oppositely directed although being incoaxial relationship, this provision being discussed in greater detailhereinafter. The line adjustment is, however, effected through theintermediary of the rod 36 (FIG. 1) which is accommodated in thediametral passage 78, either with a xed friction tit or by being weldedto the adjustment 24, as desired.

The details of the third pipe element 26 are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9 wherein it is seen that this element comprises a rst end portion 84and a second end portion 86, the latter end portion having a smallerdiameter than the end portion 84.

Pipe element 26 moreover comprises an `intermediate conical portion 88which connects the end portions 84 and 86 in coaxial relationship.

Each of the end portions is provided with an internal or interiorthread, there being provided an internal thread 90 for end portion 84and an internal thread 92 for end portion 86.

Pipe element 26 is made of a suitably strong material such as steel oriron or the like and the. internal thread 92 of end portion 86 isengaged with the external thread 82 on end portion 74 of the adjustmentstud 24.

The details of supports 28 and 30 are shown in FIGS. and 11 wherein itis seen that each support comprises a base 94 with a center ange 96extending upwardly therefrom so as to form therewith an inverted T-beam.

Depending from the base 94 are a plurality of arcuate segments 98, 100,102 and 104 concentrically arranged to constitute a cylindricalcomponent which in turn constitutes a connecting element by virtue ofthe provision of exterior thread 106 which is provided on said arcuatesegments.

The thread 106 of the support 28 is engaged with the correspondinginternal thread of the pipe element and the thread 106 of the support 30is engaged with the interior thread of the end portion 84 of the pipeelement 26.

Wooden beams 32 and 34 are spaced parallel wooden beams fabricated ofany wood having suitable strength and readily available at aconstruction site of usual type.

xedly secure the beams 32 and 34 to the supports 28 1 and 30.

The provision of the adjustment stud 24 with the oppositely directedthreads provides a line adjustment technique for use in association withthe tilt-up wall brace of the invention. The use of the two oppositelydirected threads permits an amplilied or double-acting adjustt ment.

At the same time the provision of wooden beams 32 and 34 permits of acoarse adjustment, inasmuch as these beams can be cut to length at thesite of the construction.`

Elements 22 and 26 are pipe elements having large diameters whichenhance the compression strength of the overall wall brace construction,it being noted that these elements along with adjustment stud 24 andbeams 32 and 34 cooperatively constitute a rectilinear structure adaptedfor having compressive stresses applied thereto when the element 12tends to pivot or fall down against the construction element 14.

In accordance `with the invention, the elements 20, 22 and 26 are coldworked or swaged in order to work harden these elementsso as to providea maximum strength at a minimum cost.

These principles are carried over to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 12, whereinV like elements are assigned likereference characters.

The embodiment of FIG. 12 sirnilary comprises brackets 12 and 14, pipeelements 20' and 22and adjustment stud 24.

Pipe element 20'y is provided with an extension in the form of a furtherpipe element 120, which is an elongated hollow cylindrical tube having aseries of axially spaced holes 122 positioned therein.

In this embodiment of the invention `there is provided a pipe element124 which is an elongated version of the pipe element 26 of FIG. 1, saidpipe element 124 having in internal thread 126 adapted to engage theexterior thread of adjustment stud 24 for purposes of the double actingor amplified ne length adjustment which has been noted above.

Pipe element 124 comprises a cylindrical end portion 128 and acylindrical end portion 134 of elongated construction, these endportions being connected by a conical intermediate portion 132 formed inthe cold working manner which has been noted above.

Pipe section 124 is provided with a series of axially spaced holes 134,these holes being alignable with the holes 122 in pipe section orextension 120.

The pipe section and the pipe section 124 are in telescopic relationshipsuch that the passage of a bolt 136 through aligned holes in theseelements provides for a coarse adjustment of length of the overall wallbrace.

From what has been described above, it will now be ap-` parent that theinvention provides an improved tilt-up wall brace which is easilymanufactured at low cost.

It will be further apparent that the invention provides an improvedtilt-up brace wherein provision is made for many modifications andvariations of the structure set These modications and variations willnot forth above.

depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wall brace for bracing one element relative to another, said wallbrace comprising first and second brackets adapted for connection torespective of said elements, each bracket including a base provided withan elongated slot opening laterally of the base and having a roundedterminal portion, each bracket further Iincluding spaced parallelflanges penpendiclarly connected to the associated base and providedwith coaxially aligned holes, said flanges being perpendicular to saidslots, first and second generally circular pipe elements of hollowconstruction including atted end portions extending between the anges ofa respective one of said brackets and provided with holes aligned withthe holes in the associated brackets, bolts extending through the holesin the flanges and flatted end portions for rpivotally connecting thelatter to said iianges, said pipe elements each further including asecond end portion of hollow cylindrical form including 1an internalthread and a hollow intermediate portion of generally truncated conicalform having a narrow extremity merging with and connected to theassociated second end portion and a broad extremity merging with andconnected to the associated atted end portion, adjustment meansincluding coaxial directed threads, one of which is engaged with theinternal thread of the second end portion of one of the pipe elements, athird pipe element including iirst and second cylindrical end portionsof different diameter and a conical portion connecting the latter saidend portions in coaxial relation, the latter said end portions includinginternal threads, the other thread of the adjustment means being engagedwith the internal thread of the smaller of the end portions of the thirdpipe element, first and second supports each comprising a T-beamincluding a base and a center flange, each support further comprising aconnecting element depending from the associated base and including aplurality of arcuate segments cooperatively constituting a cylindricalcomponent having an external thread, the thread of the respectivecylindrical components respectively engaging the internal thread of thelarger end portion of the third pipe element and the internal thread ofthe second end portion of the other of the first two said pipe elements,each center ange being provided with at least one opening therein, apair of parallel spaced wooden beams extending between said supports,straddling said center iianges and squaring against the bases of thesupports, and bolts passing through and connecting the beams and centerflanges such that the beams, pipe elements, supports and adjustmentmeans constitute a rectilinear structure of adjustable length.

2. A wall brace for bracing one construction element relative toanother, said wall brace comprising first and second generally circularpipe elements of hollow construction including atted end portions, meansfor pivotally connecting the atted end portions to said constructionelements, said pipe elements each further including a second end portionof hollow cylindrical form including an internal thread and a hollowintermediate portion of generally truncated conical form having a narrowextremity merging with and connected to the associated second endportion and a broad extremity merging with and connected to theassociated atted end portion, an adjustment stud including two endportions of generally hollow cylindrical form including exterior threadswhich are oppositely directed and an intermediate portion connecting thelatter said portions in coaxial relation and provided with a diametralpassage, the exterior thread of one of the end portions of said studbeing engaged with the internal thread of the second end portion of oneof the pipe elements, a rod extending through said diametral passage, athird pipe element including first and second cylindrical end portionsof different diameter and a conical portion connecting the latter endportions in 6 coaxial relation, the latter said end portions includinginternal threads, the exterior thread of the other of the end portionsof said stud being engaged with the internal thread ofV the smaller oftheL end portions of the third pipe element, first and second supportseach comprising a T-beam including a base and a center flange, eachsupport further comprising a connecting element depending from theassociated base and including a plurality of arcuate segmentscooperatively constituting a cylindrical cornponent having an externalthread, the thread. of the respective cylindrical componentsrespectively engaging the internal thread of the larger end portion ofthe third pipe element and the internal thread of the second end portionof the other of the first two said pipe elements, each center flangebeing provided with at least one opening therein, a pair of parallelspaced wooden beams extending between`said suports, straddling saidcenter ianges and squaring against the bases of the supports, and boltspassing through and connecting the beams and center angea such that thebeams, pipe elements, supports and stwa constitute a rectilinearstructure of adjustable length 3. A wall brace for bracing one elementrelative to another, said wall brace comprising irst and second bracketsadapted for connection to respective of said elements, each bracketincluding a base provided with an elongated slot opening laterally ofthe base and having a rounded terminal portion, each bracket furtherincluding spaced parallel anges perpendicularly connected to theassociated base and provided with coaxially aligned holes, said angesbeing perpendicular to said slots, first and second generally circularpipe elements of hollow construction including iiatted end portionsextending between the iianges of a respective one of said brackets andprovided with holes aligned with the holes in the associated brackets,bolts extending through the holes in the flanges and attened endportions for pivotally connecting the latter to said flanges, said pipeeiernents each further including a second end portion of hollowcylindrical form including an internal thread and a hollow intermediateportion of generally truncated conical form having a narrow extremitymerging with and connected to the associated second end portion and abroad extremity merging with and connected to the associated atted endportion, an adjustment stud including two end portions of generallyhollow cylindrical form including exterior threads which are oppositelydirected and an intermediate portion connecting the latter said portionsin coaxial relation and provided with a diametral passage, the exteriorthread of one of the end portions of said stud being engaged with theinternal thread of the second end portion of one of the pipe elements, arod extending through said diametral passage, a third pipe elementincluding iirst and second cylindrical end portions of diiierentdiameter and a conical portion connecting the latter said end portionsin coaxial relation, the latter said end portions including internalthreads, the exterior threadot the other oi the end portions of saidstud being engaged with the internal thread of the smaller of the endportions of the third pipe element, first and second supports eachcomprising a T-beam including a base and a center flange, each supportfurther comprising a connecting element depending from the associatedbase and including a plurality of arcuate segments cooperativelyconstituting a cylindrical component having an external thread, thethread of the respective cylindrical components respectively engagingthe internal thread of the larger end portion of the third pipe elementand the internal thread of the second end portion of the other of theiirst two said pipe elements, each center iiange being provided with atleast one opening therein, at least one wooden beam extending betweensaid supports, and means for connecting the beam and center flanges suchthat the beam, pipe elements, supports and stud constitute a rectilinearstructure of adjustable length.

4 A wall brace for bracing one element relative to another, said wallbrace comprising tirst and second brackets adapted for connection torespective of said elements, each bracket including a base provided withan elongated yslot opening laterally of the base and having a roundedterminal portion, each bracket further including sp'aced parallelflanges perpendicularly connected to the associated base and providedwith coaxially aligned holes, said anges being perpendicular to saidslots, first and second generally circular pipe elements of hollowconstruction including atted end portions extending between the tiangesof a respective one of said brackets and provided with holes alignedwith the holes in the associated brackets, bolts extending through theholes in the anges and flatted end portions for pivotally connecting thelatter to said anges, said pipe elements each further including a secondend portion of hollow cylindrical form including an internal thread anda hollow intermediate portion of generally truncated conical form havinga narrow extremity merging with and connected to the associated secondend portion and a broad extremity merging with and connected to theassociated atted end portion, an adjustment stud including two endportions of generally hollow cylindrical form including exterior threadswhich are oppositely directed and an intermediate portion connecting thelatter said portions in coaxial relation and provided with a diametralpassage, the exterior thread of one of the end portions of said studbeing engaged with the internal thread of the second end portion of oneof the pipe elements, a rod extending through said diametral passage, athird pipe element including rst and second cylindrical end portions ofdifferent diameter and a conical portion connecting the latter said endportions in coaxial relation, the latter said end portions includinginternal threads, the exterior thread of the other of the end portionsof said studbeing engaged with the internal thread of the smaller of theend portions of the third pipe element, first and second supports eachcomprising a T-beam including a base and a center flange, each supportfurther comprising a connecting element depending from the associatedbase and including a plurality of arcuate segments cooperativelyconstituting a cylindrical component having an external thread, thethread of the respective cylindrical components respectively engagingthe internal thread of the larger end `portion of the third pipeelement'and the internal thread of the second end portion of the otherof the first two said pipe elements, each center ange being providedwith at least one opening therein, a pair of parallel spaced woodenbeams extending between said supports, straddling said center flangesand squaring against the bases of the supports, and bolts passingthrough and connecting the beams and center flanges such that the beams,pipe elements, supports and stud constitute a rectilinear structure ofadjustable length.

5. A brace comprising rst and second brackets, rst and second meansrespectively pivotally coupled to said brackets and adapted for beingsupported in coaxial alignment, said irst and second means includingrespective sleeve elements which are axially spaced from one another inaxially aligned relation, rotatable means extending between andconnecting said sleeve elements and threadably engaging the latter withoppositely directed threads whereby to adjust the distance between thesleeve elements and therefore between the brackets, said sleeve elementsincluding conicalend portions which threadably engage the rotatablemeans, said conical end portions being work hardened metal, saidrotatable means and sleeve elements constituting fine length adjustingmeans, one of said 4first and second means including coarse lengthadjusting means in axial relation with the tine length adjusting means,said coarse length adjusting means comprising at least one beam havingopposite end portions with approximately perpendicular surfaces, firstand second support means secured to a respective end portion of being inthreaded engagement with said further sleeve ele-Y ment.

6. A wall brace for bracing one construction element relative toanother, said wall brace comprising iirst` and second generally circularpipe elements of hollow construction including end portions, means forpivotally connecting the end portions to a construction element, saidpipe elements each including a threaded portion, adjustment meansincluding oppositely directed threads in coaxial relation, one of thethreads of the adjustment means being engaged with the thread of one ofthe pipe elements, a third pipe element including a threaded portion,the other thread of the adjustment means being engaged with the threadof the third pipe element, :rst and second supports each comprising aT-beam including a base and a center flange, each support furthercomprising a connecting element depending from the associated base andincluding a plurality of arcuate segments cooperatively constituting acylindrical component having an external thread, the thread of therespective cylindrical components respectively engaging the thread ofthe third pipe element and the thread of the other of the first two saidpipe elements, each center ange being provided with at least one openingtherein, a pair ofY parallely spaced wooden beams extending between saidsupports, straddling saidl center flanges and squaring against the basesof the supports, and bolts passing through and connecting the beams andcenter flangessuch that the beams, pipe elements, supports andadjustment` means constitute a rectilinear structure of adjustablelength.

7. A wall brace for bracing one construction elementl relative toanother, said wall brace comprising first and second generally circularpipe elements of hollow con-` generally truncated conical form having anarrow ex-y tremity merging with and connected to the associated secondend portion and a broad extremity merging with and` connected to theassociated flatted end portion, adjustment means including coaxialdirected threads, one of which is engaged with the internal thread ofthe second end portion of one of the pipe elements, a third pipe elementincluding lirst and second cylindrical end portions of differentdiameter and a conical portion connecting the latter said end portionsin coaxial relation, the latter said end portions including internalthreads, the other thread of the `adjustment means being engaged withthe internal thread of the smaller of the end portions of the third pipeelement, first and second supports eachcomprising a T-beam including abase and a center flange, each support further comprising a connectingelement depending from the associated base and including meansconstituting a cylindrical component having an external thread, thethread 'of the respective ,cylindrical components respectively engagingthe internal thread of thel pipe elements, supports and adjustment meansconstitute a rectilinear structure of adjustable length.

8. A wall brace for bracing one construction element relative toanother, said Wall brace comprising rst and second pipe elements ofhollow construction, means for pivotally connecting the pipe elements toa construction element, said pipe elements each further including an endportion remote from the associated construction element of hollowcylindrical form including an internal thread, adjustment meansincluding exterior threads which are oppositely directed and one ofwhich is engaged with the internal thread of the end portion of one ofthe pipe elements, a third pipe element including end portions withinternal threads, the other of the exterior threads of the adjustmentmeans being engaged with the internal thread of the third pipe element,rst and second supports each comprising a T-beam including a base and acenter ange, each support further comprising means depending from theassociated base and constituting a cylindrical component having anexternal thread, the thread of the cylindrical component respectivelyengaged the internal thread of the third pipe element and the internalthread of the other of the first two said pipe elements, a beamextending between said supports adjacent said center anges and squaringagainst the bases of the supports,

10 and means connecting the beam and center anges such that the beam,pipe elements, supports and adjustment means constitute a rectilinearstructure of adjustable length.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 457,977 8/ 1891Wilkening 248-354 X 1,298,970 4/1919 Lampert 248-354 X 1,373,276 3/ 1921Telmosse 248-354 1,762,740 6/ 1930 Rains 189-31.4 1,776,439 9/ 1930Kinninger 248-354 X 1,782,903 1 1/ 1930 Markham 248-354 2,004,462 6/1935 Bush 25-13 1 2,43 6,799 2/ 1948 Frost 188-7 2,519,364 8/ 1950Fredholm 254-86 2,684,824 7 1954 Hillberg 248-354 2,725,210 11/ 1955Swartz 248-354 2,832,559 4/ 1958 Hillberg 248-354 FOREIGN PATENTS1,240,904 8/1960 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. A WALL BRACE FOR BRACING ONE ELEMENT RELATIVE TO ANOTHER, SAID WALLBRACE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND BRACKETS ADAPTED FOR CONNECTING TORESPECTIVE OF SAID ELEMENTS EACH BRACKET INCLUDING A BASE PROVIDED WITHAN ELONGATED SLOT OPENING LATERALLY OF THE BASE AND HAVING A ROUNDEDTERMINAL PORTION, EACH BRACKET FURTHER INCLUDING SPACED PARALLEL FLANGESPERPENDICULARLY CONNECTED TO THE ASSOCIATED BASE AND PROVIDED WITHCOAXIALLY ALIGNED HOLES, SAID FLANGES BEING PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SLOTS,FIRST AND SECOND GENERALLY CIRCULAR PIPE ELEMENTS OF HOLLOW CONSTRUCTIONINCLUDING FLATTED END PORTIONS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FLANGES OF ARESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID BRACKETS AND PROVIDED WITH HOLES ALIGNED WITH THEHOLES IN THE ASSOCIATED BRACKETS, BOLTS EXTENDING THROUGH THE HOLES INTHE FLANGES AND FLATTED ENDS PORTIONS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THELATTER TO SAID FLANGES, SAID PIPE ELEMENTS EACH FURTHER INCLUDING ASECOND END PORTION OF HOLLOW CYLIINDRICAL FORM INCLUDING AN INTERNALTHREAD AND A HOLLOW INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF GENERALLY TRUNCATED CONICALFORM HAVING A NARROW EXTREMITY MERGING WITH SAID CONNECTED TO THEASSOCIATED SECOND END PORTION AND A BROAD EXTREMITY MERGING WITH ANDCONNECTED TO THE ASSOCIATED FLATTED END PORTION, ADJUSTMENT MEANSINCLUDING COAXIAL DIRECTED THREADS, ONE OF WHICH IS ENGAGED WITH THEINTERNAL THREAD OF THE SECOND END PORTION OF ONE OF THE PIPE ELEMENTS, ATHIRD PIPE ELEMENT INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND CYLINDRICAL END PORTION OFDIFFERENT DIAMETER AND A CONICAL PORTION CONNECTING THE LATTER SAID ENDPORTION IN COAXIAL RELATION, THE LATTER SAID END PORTIONS INCLUDINGINTERNAL THREADS, THE OTHER THREAD OF THE ADJUSTMENT MEANS BEING ENGAGEDWITH THE INTERNAL THREAD OF THE SMALLER OF THE END PORTIONS OF THE THIRDPIPE ELEMENT, FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT EACH COMPRISING A T-BEAMINCLUDING A BASE AND A CENTER FLANGE, EACH SUPPORT FURTHER COMPRISING ACONNECTING ELEMENTS DEPENDING FROM THE ASSOCIATED BASE AND INCLUDING APLURALITY OF ARCUATE SEGMENTS COOPERATIVELY CONSTITUTING A CYLINDRICALCOMPONENT HAVING AN EXTERNAL THREAD, THE THREAD OF THE RESPECTIVECYLINDRICAL COMPONENTS RESPECTIVELY ENGAGING THE INTERNAL THREAD OF THELARGER END PORTION OF THE THIRD PIPE ELEMENT AND THE INTERNAL THREAD OFTHE SECOND END PORTION OF THE OTHEROF THE FIRST TWO SAID PIPE ELEMENTS,EACH CENTER FLANGE BEING PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE OPENING THEREIN, APAIR OF PARALLEL SPACED WOODEN BEAMS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTSSTRAADDLING SAID CENTER FLANGES AND SQUARING AGAINST THE BASES OF THESUPPORTS, AND BOLTS PASSING THROUGH AND CONNECTING THE BEAMS AND CENTERFLANGES SUCH THAT THE BEAMS, PIPE ELEMENTS SUPPORTS AND ADJUSTMENTSMEANS CONSTITUTE A RECTINLINEAR STRUCTURE OF ADJUSTABLE LENGTH